The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-11-04


: time. Then the good woman unable
10 bear the suspense. mustered up
courage and renewed tho conversation
"Well. Rube. air 70 goin 20 toll mo
what that idee Of your'n isf"
s.Mebbe, said Rube. with tantalix-
Ing air Of Indifference,
"What u Il, any way. much imPor-
TANGO 10 us?''
"Perhaps II Il. and mebbe y isn't
rcplicd Rube. "But Ireckon "a best
not tell We an make II surprise like.
CHOW want 70 knows surprise'
and Mrs. Reddick wondered what the
surprise would be. In few days her
| fortieth birthday would be- at hand
AN he intends to make me nice
present." she thought. smile Hitting
over her handsome features Mrs.
Reddick was still handsome woman
.All right. Rube." said she' arising
to prepare the supper.
After supper Mr.. Reddick said nc
would 20 towards town rs he had some
business 10 transact, and that she might
sit up and await his return. u she
wished. adding that he would be pleased
10 have her do so. - he intended to be
away but an hour.
II do wonder what he intends 70
surprise me with" Mrs. Rcddick asked
herself over and over again
"Poor Rubc. he's always tryin' some
new scheme or other, an I'm sure he
does il to benefit me as well as HIM
SELF she reasoned. looking vacantly
out the kitchen window.
Thus she occupied her mind while
|. tidying up things generally. and 50 alb.
sent-mindcd was she an hour aftcrward
/, that she never heard the roll OF car
riagc wheels up the drive. nor the foot
steps on the gravel walk until the ve
o randall was reached.
Rube had returned. and with him wa
= little child.
He hesitated before opening the door
2 holding the trembling orphan by tn
hand.
"what'l Mandy say" he thought
" and looking down upon the sweet fac
n before him, lie resolved TO face tn
music and have it over with.
!. He felt the child's hand trembIc an
babe her have no fears. that he ha
Y; brought her to nice home where 81
= would have new papa and MANN
and lots Of good things.
They entered the little parlor, whc
Mrs. Reddick turned and discovere
them. For moment she was speed
less.
..Rube! what in all creation do
this mean?'' she asked. looking fro
one 10 the other with dilate4 eyes
1T means. Mandy" he reptile
.that hcv brought We this poor lit
orphan. an Wen adopt her, an
s.Never! sir. ncvcr!'
Mrs. Reddick was one OF tho
~ women who. not having the blessiI
Of little ones conferred upon thci
seem to hate the very sight Of Other
"a children.
..Never. Rubc; ! couldn't do it." 8
A. repeated in husky voice, the tea
- ready 70 flow at sight Of the pleadi'
- face before her.
III ..Mandy." said RUDE, softly. =
81 member what Jesus said
nj II know. Rube; but ! can't TAX
- mothers place. Fl IL wuz boy
- mightn't mind il 90 much"
~ boy! tut, tut" exclaimed the 3
hearted man. beginning to feel hol
~ full. why. Mandy. boys Is no acco'
~ any way you take EN-. Soon's they
80 growed up they start on an leave
~ ole folks to shift for themselves.
80 with the gals. This is right SIN
.ch. little critter. 50 they tell me at
NO poor-house."
IA The little orphan felt she was
80, - wanted there and the thought gave
pain. She looked up in Mr. keddie
face and burst into At OF weeping
Mile Morewin, or Little Mil
a ~" MS she was called at the poor-ho'
~, 's was left an orphan four years Previ
"a the opcning Of our story. She